Category Archives: news analysis

IndyCar Makes Single Car Qualifying Permanent with Tweaks

Posted on 13 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The debut of single-car Firestone Fast Six qualifying in Arlington was extremely popular and well received,” claimed IndyCar President J. Douglas Boles. [Not with some driver’s and teams at the Good Ranchers 250-AutoCrat.]* “Following the event, we reached out to stakeholders to help evaluate the format and look into ways to improve an already exciting session. This slight update will provide the fastest from the Top 12 an earned advantage of choosing when they would like their run in the Fast Six, while tire selection before lining up at pit out will save time and more closely equalize the session.” [Precisely – changing track conditions and allowed tire changes for late qualifiers made a mockery of the pole position -AutoCrat.] Continue reading →

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EcoCAR Innovation Challenge Pits General Motors v Stellantis

Posted on 13 April 2026 by Ken Zino

General Motors (NYSE: GM) and Stellantis (NYSE: STLA) have joined the Challenge as sponsors, along with technology partner MathWorks. This combination of government and industry partners focuses on cultivating the next generation of auto-industry innovators. This is the first collaboration between two major automakers in the same series in more than 25 years. Additional EcoCAR Innovation Challenge sponsors announced today include Caterpillar, Siemens Digital Industries Software, dSPACE, Bosch, Altec, Hesse, and Volta Foundation. Continue reading →

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Porsche AG Q1 2026 Sales Drop 15%

Posted on 10 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“Following the end of the combustion-engine 718 and the strong deliveries of the fully electric Macan at market launch, our figures are below the prior‑year level but are overall in line with our expectations. Strong demand for the 911 and the high proportion of top derivatives clearly demonstrate that the core of our sports car brand remains exceptionally strong,” claimed Matthias Becker, Member of the Executive Board for Sales and Marketing at Porsche AG. “In the coming months, our focus will be on the market launch of the all‑electric Cayenne, which will be delivered to its first customers from summer onwards.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen ID.4 U.S. Production Ends. Atlas Begins

Posted on 10 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The Chattanooga plant has been, and will continue to be, a cornerstone of Volkswagen’s strategy in the United States,” said Volkswagen Group of America President and CEO Kjell Gruner. “This strategic shift underscores the company’s commitment to Chattanooga and its workforce as we position the plant for long-term success and future product opportunities.” Continue reading →

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AAA – Pump Gasoline Prices Still Soaring

Posted on 9 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The national average for a gallon of regular gasoline went up 8 cents since last week to $4.16, according to the latest data published by AAA. The last time the national average reached that price was in early August of 2022.*

“Crude oil prices remain high, even as they’ve fluctuated in recent days following the announcement of a 2-week ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. The price for a barrel of crude dropped below $100 but then rose again, highlighting the volatility of oil markets and fluidity of geopolitical events,” AAA said in a release. Continue reading →

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Magna to Sell Lighting and Rooftop Systems Firms

Posted on 9 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Magna International Inc. (TSX: MG; NYSE: MGA) today said that it has entered into definitive agreements to divest its Lighting business through two separate transactions, as well as its Rooftop Systems business in a third transaction.* “Today’s announcement underscores our … Continue reading →

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Stellantis N.V. Securities Fraud Lawsuit Announced

Posted on 8 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The Rosen Law Firm, which bills itself as a global investor rights law firm, today announced a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock on the New York Stock Exchange of Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA) between 26 February 2025 and 5 February 2026, inclusive (the so-called “Class Period”). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. Continue reading →

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AB Volvo Board Meeting Approves Extraordinary Dividend

Posted on 8 April 2026 by Ken Zino

AB Volvo held its Annual General Meeting today in Göteborg, Sweden. The Board adopted the income statement and balance sheet, as well as the consolidated income statement and the consolidated balance sheet. In accordance with the Board’s proposal, the Meeting resolved that an ordinary dividend of SEK 8.50 per share and an extraordinary dividend of SEK 4.50 per share should be paid to the shareholders – 10 April 2026 is the record date for the right to receive dividends. Continue reading →

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CARFAX Report Now Predicts a Vehicle’s Future

Posted on 7 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“This marks an important milestone for CARFAX and for the people who rely on our data every day,” said Paul Nadjarian, Chief Product Officer at CARFAX. “With over 151,000 data sources and more than 35 billion records, we’re introducing a powerful new insight into a vehicle’s lifecycle. Much like a crystal ball, our future Reliability will help shoppers understand the road ahead, including what repairs to anticipate and what they may cost, and soon, insights into how long that car will last – empowering consumers to buy with confidence and help them plan ahead.” Continue reading →

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Volkswagen Recalls 2025 Jetta and Taos Vehicles for IP failures

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“When the ignition is switched on, the instrument cluster may read incorrect or corrupt Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) data required for proper system initialization. If invalid data is detected, the software discards the data and applies default configuration values. However, the instrument cluster and the immobilizer system are not designed to operate using these default values, which can result in the instrument cluster failing to function as intended. Software revisions introduced over time significantly increased NVM access and data traffic within the instrument cluster, thereby increasing the likelihood of NVM-related errors,” Volkswagen said in the required safety defect recall filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Mercedes-Benz USA 2026 Model-Year Air Bag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“The passenger air bag fabric may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can cause the air bag not to deploy as intended.,” Mercedes said in the required safety defect filing made public this morning by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Continue reading →

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Park Outside! Nissan Leaf Battery Fire Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Nissan North America is recalling 51 2026 model-year LEAF vehicles. The high voltage battery may have internal damage that can cause a short circuit within the lithium ion battery module.

“Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures and should not charge their vehicles until the remedy is completed. Dealers will replace the battery modules or the battery, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed 17April 2026,” Nissan said in the mandatory Safety Defect filing made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Lexus 2022-24 Model-Year Front Passenger Airbag Recall

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

The front passenger seat in the subject vehicles is secured to a seat frame, which is equipped with a stopper and has an Occupant Classification System (OCS) that provides input to the Supplemental Restraint System to determine the deployment strategy of the front passenger airbag system, depending on the occupant load. Due to a manufacturing error during a specific production period at a certain supplier’s plant [Toyota Boshoku Corporation – AutoCrat], some vehicles may have an insufficient clearance between the seat frame and the stopper when taking into account normal production variation. If there is insufficient clearance, interference can occur between the seat frame and the stopper if the seat height is adjusted to certain positions, depending on the occupant load applied,” Toyota said in the required safety defect recall filing (49 CFR § 573) made public by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) this morning. Continue reading →

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Shared Fuel Cell Technology – Daimler Truck, Volvo, Toyota

Posted on 6 April 2026 by Ken Zino

Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric (sic) and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture called cellcentric. The timing is propitious given the Artemis II Orion spacecraft uses hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell systems to generate electricity and potable water for the crew during its 10-day mission that is underway. Continue reading →

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April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Posted on 3 April 2026 by Ken Zino

“No one should ever get hurt or lose their life because of a text or a phone call,” said Lorraine Martin, NSC CEO. “By keeping our eyes on the road and our hands on the wheel, we all have the power and responsibility to make our roads safe for everyone. The National Safety Council calls on every driver to travel distraction free – doing so will save lives.” Continue reading →

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